Firstly a very Happy New Year to all the Piping Press readers and all pipers, drummers, drum majors and administrators everywhere. 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Pipe Band League (then affiliated to the North of Ireland Bands Association) becoming the first N.I. Branch of the Scottish Pipe Band Association. This affiliation was the brainchild of pipe band pioneers such as Eddie McVeigh (pictured above) Tom Hart, William…

I was interested to read the extracts from the May 1936 issue of the Piping & Dancing’ magazine which Piping Press featured recently and in particular the item relating to the ‘Ulster Notes’. The North of Ireland Bands Association formed in 1907 exists to the present day. In its heyday in the 1940s / 50s it had a membership of 250 bands. Pipe bands joined it in 1911 and remained in membership…

The 69th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch took place last Saturday, 30th November 2019, in the Trinity Methodist Halls, Lisburn. RSPBANI Branch Chairman Ray Hall welcomed the band representatives and extended a special welcome to RSPBA Chief Executive Ian Embelton and to Seamus Russell who was representing the Irish Pipe Band Association. Presentations were made to three member bands who are celebrating their centenaries,…

One of the most popular events on the local pipe band scene in recent years has been the Kids with Cancer Charity extravaganza which has taken place over the last few years in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. I am delighted to announce that it is running again on Saturday 22nd February 2020 from 5.45pm at the same venue. If previous line-ups have been outstanding then those attending this time…

Whilst the weather has not always been at its best during the pipe band season, when the curtain came down on the summer contests the sun came out for the Ulster Championships at Donard Park, Newcastle. Not only did it stay out all day but so too did thousands of spectators as evidenced by the full car parks and indeed almost every available space in adjoining residential areas resulting no…